Charity places in Royal Parks Half Marathon
Sun 12 Oct 2025 London, UK

Charity places in Royal Parks Half Marathon 2025

A stunning central London half marathon taking in four Royal Parks and some of the capital's world-famous landmarks on closed roads. Charity places now available for 2025.

Charity places

Event overview

2025 date and details to be confirmed.

The Royal Parks Half Marathon has been called Britain's 'most beautiful half marathon' by virtue of its blend of expansive parks decked in autumnal finery and the capital's iconic landmarks. With huge crowd support, a flat, fast course and a food festival at the finish line, there's something for everyone at this popular event.

Highlights

  • Britain's 'most beautiful half marathon'

    Run through four of the eight Royal Parks; Hyde Park, The Green Park, St. James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.

  • World-famous landmarks of the capital

    Run past Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, The Houses of Parliament, the Royal Albert Hall and much more.

  • Multi-award-winning with green credentials

    Sustainability leads the way over the flat and fast course to the inspirational Food and Fitness Festival.

Fundraising event

The Royal Parks Half Marathon, presented by Royal Bank of Canada, was set up by The Royal Parks charity as an annual fundraising initiative to help conserve and enhance London’s eight Royal Parks for everyone, while enabling charities of all sizes to be involved in a major challenge event. 

Since then the event has exceeded all expectations, raising nearly £65 million for over 1,200 UK charities. It’s a key part of raising awareness of The Royal Parks as a charity, funded by donations and events like the Royal Parks Half.

The money raised by this event for The Royal Parks helps to keep the magic of eight vital green spaces alive, teach children and adults about the natural world, care for wildlife and conserve historic monuments.

Green credentials

The aim is to make race day as green and sustainable as possible and have committed to reaching net-zero by 2027. Right now 66% of all waste from the event is recycled and more work is being done. This event aims to protect, not just the parks but also, the wider world around us for everyone.

Event details are on the Royal Parks Half Marathon listing.

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity and complete the form to ask a question or get signed up.

Homelessness

The Passage

Together we can end homelessness for good.

  • Running vest
  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising incentives
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£350

Children

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity

Providing nurses and support to help seriously ill children in the UK.

  • T-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£350

Children

Smile Train

Supporting cleft surgery and other forms of essential comprehensive cleft care.

  • Running vest
  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate

Sign up
£10

Fundraise
£400

Armed forces

Walking With The Wounded

Mentally, physically and socially wounded ex-service personnel and their families are supported to receive the help they deserve.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Exclusive social group
  • Memento

Sign up
£35

Fundraise
£380

Children

Rainbow Trust

Supporting families with a seriously ill child.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Cheer squad on the day

Sign up
£10

Fundraise
£375

Children

Winston's Wish

Supporting grieving children and young people to ensure they don't face their grief alone.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£300

Cancer

Orchid, Fighting Male Cancer

Raising awareness and saving lives for prostate, testicular and penile cancer.

  • T-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Training plan
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£35

Fundraise
£400

Children

NSPCC

Every childhood is worth fighting for.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Training days
  • Pre-event meet-ups
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Post-race reception
  • Refreshments
  • Exclusive social group
  • Pre-event training sessions

Sign up
£10

Fundraise
£350

Fundraising

Every year thousands of runners take part in this event and fundraise for charity. While this is hugely beneficial to the charities it gives the runner advantages too, from supporting a cause that is close to your heart to securing a place in this highly sought-after event and much more.

Benefits of running for charity

Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus all of these extras which will elevate your event experience:

  • Fundraising support

    Charities know that raising money is all part of the challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think videos for social media, branded imagery and testimonials from previous runners.

  • Training support

    Whether this is your first run or your fifth, you'll need to train for it! You'll receive an in-depth training plan with guidance, plus many charities have access to expert coaches and elite runners too, who can provide exclusive tips for your race preparation. Experts include Runningwithus, Full Potential and Olympic champs.

  • Branded running kit

    When you show up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to run in on the big day, and often a training top too.

  • Support on the day

    When you're partway through your run and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Many charities set up a cheer station along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!

  • Post-race recovery

    Refreshments and an indulgent post-race sports massage are often provided by charities for their runners. This is the perfect way to recover alongside other people who have run for that cause.

  • Exclusive social groups

    You won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high.

What are charity places?

Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a good cause and get a place in the event, especially if ballot entries are closed.

Running a half marathon and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?